After our big mushroom find of the morning, we set off for our foray in the afternoon to Two Pond Farm. Even though it was hot and sunny, we had been told to wear long pants since we’d be walking in the forest through lots of brambles. Oh joy: more rose thorns, probably.

We were charmed the moment we turned into the driveway of Two Pond Farm. A rambling, old farmhouse stood proudly between two large ponds along with a barn and outbuildings scattered behind it. Allison came to greet us, and since we were the first to arrive and she wasn’t sure how many other people would be joining us, we sat down on the steps of her front porch to wait. She showed us a basket of mushrooms that she had just gathered earlier that day. This was our goal for today: delicious honey mushrooms! She explained how to identify them and we talked a bit about how to prepare them. She told us that there were not nearly as many as there usually are due to the weather, but hoped we’d find some we could take away with us.

We turned out to be the only ones that showed up for the foray. Before starting, Allison brought out a jar of honey mushrooms that she had pickled herself and some bread so we could sample their taste. They were delicious! We asked her how she made them and vowed to prepare them that way if we were lucky enough to find some. Knowing how good they were made us all the more excited to get started.

Past the turkey coop and up through the pasture we went. We started seeing older mushrooms right away, but they weren’t good for picking. Not ten minutes into our adventure and we were finding smaller, fresher mushrooms that found their way into our bag. Oh boy! We went through areas of blueberry bushes scattered with old oaks and the shrooms really seemed to like this environment. I had to be careful where I walked since they were hard to see through the scrubby bushes. I was glad for my jeans even though the sun was hot. Before long we had entered the forest.

Here are a group of honey mushrooms growing on an oak. Allison explained to us that the mycelium for the honey mushrooms usually takes over dead oak trees and spreads throughout the tree, so you find them growing on the tree itself or anywhere along the root system. When the tree can no longer feed the mycelium, it dies.

Somewhere along the way I met up with my buddies—the thorns—and they snagged my arm. ouch! It bled profusely (those thorns are so sharp!) and I had to grab a few green leaves to staunch the flow. I swear, those bushes just do not like me!

The mushrooms weren’t plentiful, but we found enough to suit our needs. We didn’t want to be too greedy and help ourselves to all the mushrooms we saw; after all it was her property we were searching for them on.

Back at the farm we explored her small organic shop operated on the “honor system.” People come by to purchase her home-grown organic veggies, eggs, and homemade marmalades, leaving the money in a lock box. We couldn’t resist a winter squash, some red onions and a jar of her Tomato-Peach-Ginger Marmalade. They also raise turkeys, lambs, and pigs for people. You make your purchase a year in advance and they raise it and butcher it for you. She has her own flock of sheep from which she spins her own yarn. I asked her if she would be willing to give me a few lessons as I would like to learn to spin and she said she would. How wonderful is that?! I plan to follow up on this before too long.

We came home and Rick started blanching the mushrooms before I even had a chance to photograph them! Oh, well. You can see the results of our foray; two jars of delicious pickled mushrooms, resting in their bath of olive oil and herbs.

The honey mushrooms are probably done for the year, but we’ll be going back to Two Pond Farm before too long I should think. If for no other reason than to get another jar of that wonderful marmalade. They also run a cut-it-yourself Christmas tree lot, and I can certainly see that activity coming up in our not-too-distant future!

An oddball kind of berry in the forest. Do you feel like you’re being watched?

Taken from the canoe last weekend on Monksville Reservoir.

I didn’t plan on walking today, it just happened. Before I knew what was happening, I was out the door with my camera in hand, my feet carrying me along seemingly of their own volition. As I penetrated the forest, the wild rose bushes that have overgrown the path reached out to snatch at my clothing with their thorny fingers.  ~ pluck, pluck ~ little girl ... who do you think you are to enter our forest, eh? ~  I ignored them and pushed forward, their thorns leaving tiny pinprick holes in my sweatshirt from their greediness.

The forest is subtly changing. Although most of the leaves are still green, the ground is carpeted with yellow and brown already. As I walk along leaves sift downward on the freshening breeze, making a gentle shushing sound. It’s comforting and restful. The breeze also loosens acorns from high above which come rattling down as they bounce off branches, and my head narrowly escapes a good clonking. Squirrels scurry back and forth amid the thickening blanket of spent leaves, probably collecting those very same acorns. Ah, the cycles of life.

These newly “born” shelf mushrooms look like seashells to me. Such intricacy of coloration.

How did this leaf manage to impale itself on this ragged, upturned tree trunk?

Further down the path I started to notice the vines. Funny what you can see when the thick vegetation of summer is gone. They seemed to be claiming the trees for themselves; making them their own possessions.

I wondered if I stood there long enough, would I be assimilated too?  ~ resistance is futile ... ~  They seemed sinister to me; not sure why.

I walked a bit further, not certain of how far to go. A squirrel came down a tree right in front me, chattering noisily—almost like he was admonishing me to go back. So, heeding his advice, I headed for home, taking my strange mood with me.

I found these grape-like clusters growing close to home. I had never noticed them before. The more I looked, the more I saw! I picked one and broke it open with my fingernail. It smelled very sweet, sugary, grapey, and delicious, but I don’t know if they are edible or not. If they are, why haven’t the birds gotten to them? Does anyone know what they are? New Jersey vegetation still mystifies me!

Until the next time, dear forest. I never know what you have in store for me.

It’s a beautiful mornin’, Ahhh,
I think I’ll go outside a while,
An jus’ smile.
Just take in some clean fresh air, boy!
Ain’t no sense in stayin’ inside
If the weather’s fine an’ you got the time.
It’s your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day.
Either way,
It’s a beautiful mornin’, Ahhh,
Each bird keeps singin’ his own song.
So long!
—the Rascals

The lyrics from “It’s a Beautiful Morning” by the Rascals seemed to sum up Wednesday’s weather to me. It was cool, sunny, and crisp without the dragging humidity of the past week. I could not make myself stay inside or do anything as mundane as going grocery shopping. So I grabbed my camera and headed off down the forest path to Green Turtle Pond.

It wasn’t the kind of walk one does to get the utmost exercise. Oh, no; this was a leisurely stroll to focus on the nature around me. As I walked along all the worries and cares that I’ve been carrying around with me melted away and were absorbed into the leaves and branches of the trees.

Getting off the beaten path I was rewarded with a few interesting mushrooms. This one was on the side of a hill and because of where it decided to grow, was growing with its top in a vertical position instead of horizontal like it should be, leaving it looking like a big paddle with its spongy pores exposed.

This one was particularly intriguing to me. I think it looks like an Oreo cookie, but one that you wouldn’t particularly want to eat. I had to look it up in our mushroom books when I got home and found out it was an Old Man of the Woods, and edible although mediocre in taste.  But pretty, don’t you agree?

One of my goals on the walk was to visit this tree. I had seen it on a walk with the dogs and knew I would want to revisit it. It was just too interesting with all the shelf mushrooms (or polypores) growing on it. It was off the trail and up a steep embankment. Up close it’s a grand old tree that not only the fungi loves, but also an obvious favorite of woodpeckers. Yet it bears up under all that abuse, and I got the impression it was not unhappy about it.

Further along the path there were a few leaves changing.

And more polypores—growing on the ground this time.

Down by the pond’s edge I found this beautiful pine tree. I had seen this spot from the canoe and had to follow a few paths before I found the one that led here. We have one of these pines in our front yard and our neighbor’s have one too. I’m not certain of the name, but they are huge! The ground beneath its labyrinth of branches was covered with a soft carpet of spent pine needles that was inches deep. A perfect spot to spread a blanket for a picnic lunch or just to sit and relax.

This vine doubled back on itself to make the perfect trap for an unwary creature that happens into its path. I decided not to try the noose out for size!

This spider had a different plan for its prey.

I arrived home two hours later feeling like all was well in my little world. I do hope you enjoyed walking with me this morning.